CruiseCritic0123

I've been recommending to everyone the Anchor Nutrition Bar, which is made out of real food and has the same effects as motion-sickness medicine! I've tried tons of different products like Dramamine but those made me drowsy :( I'm so excited that I discovered this bar! If anyone is interested I'm including the link because that's how much I love it!!! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011VHB950

I love Apples to Apples Junior. This link also has some pretty fun games on it! http://grandparents.about.com/od/projectsactivities/tp/Easy_Card_Games_for_Kids.htm

I am now a diehard fan of the Anchor Nutrition Bar. I think they are relatively new. I order them off of Amazon (with Prime!) at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011VHB950 and they seriously work so well. It's nice because I don't get drowsy from them at all and they completely relieve my motion-sickness symptoms. Seriously I recommend giving them a try!

I love the Jo Malone 'Wood Sage & Sea Salt'. It's pricey but so worth it! It has such a fresh scent that smells natural.

Chole’s Eau de parfum is also amazing. I've sampled Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb and it's going to be my next purchase. It's light, long-lasting, and the best 'flower scent' out there.

• Passport / other necessary documents
  
• Boarding pass
  
• Vaccinations if necessary
  
• Wallet w/ credit card and cash --> don't forget 1's for tips
  
• Phone
  
• Clothing for all weather types --> even if you're going to the warm Caribbean bring other layers!
  
• Sunscreen!
  
• Medications including sea sickness remedies
  
• Toiletries
  

Ginger is great for helping prevent sea sickness! If you don't like the taste of ginger, I've heard that peppermint can help. I also have tried this Anchor Nutrition Bar that has some ginger in it, but does not have that strong taste. I was surprised at how well it worked!

I've been meaning to try the acupuncture wristbands, does anyone have experience with them?

I get virtually every type of motion sickness, especially sea sickness. Thankfully there are a wide variety of products out there for helping reduce the discomfort from sea sickness. One option is over-the-counter medication like Bonine, Dramamine, and Antivert. Just keep in mind that there can be side effects like drowsiness. There's also the patch, although I've personally never tried that one. Some natural options I've tried are acupuncture wristbands, the anchor nutrition bar, and ginger. Hope one of these works for you!

The food on the Celebrity Silhouette is to die for, and the banquet room is gorgeous. Their 24 hour buffet has quality food and there are several top notch restaurants, but what's really special on this ship is the Lawn Club Grill. You essentially get a cooking lesson and grill you own steak. If you want to have a more interactive experience with your food, you'll love this!

Can someone tell me the main differences between river cruises and ocean cruises? I would also love recommendations for great river cruise lines!

Thanks! :)

Carnival Freedom has the Hasbro Game Show and Playlist Productions, which can be really fun for families. Your kids might really like the towel animal theater - if you go early your kids can participate in a short towel-folding seminar. Definitely check out their "Seuss at Sea". It's really cute and includes a parade, arts and crafts, interactive story time, and a themed character breakfast. I would recommend Dive-in movies as a relaxing option for the family. Aside from these, the more standard activities that are fitting for all ages are mini golfing or spending time at the pool.

One more thing that could be fun for your kids is the Camp Ocean Badge Challenge. They can collect badges from trying fun new things, like a new food or karaoke.

Hope the cruise goes great! :)

I really enjoyed reading your blog post! I thought it was well organized and informative. The price break downs at the end are especially useful!

A personal favorite is Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. They have DreamWorks characters onboard (think Kung Fu Panda) as well as the Barbie Premium Experience. There are 3-D film showings and Broadway-style shows. Plus, there are a lot of activities for slightly older children like ice skating, surfing through simulators, and rock climbing. Anyone I know who has been on one of these ships with their children has absolutely loved it!

The Carnival Breeze and Carnival Sunshine are also great for children. I would say that Carnival is probably the most cost-effective option out there and is way cheaper than Disney. They have one of the largest aqua parks with a massive dump bucket. Dr. Seuss can be found onboard, as well as the popular Hasbro game show. In addition, the ships have a ropes course with two different levels of challenge.

Another great line for families is Norwegian. One thing that I love about this line is that you're never rushed to do anything. There are no time constraints on dinner so you don't have to worry about missing it. Their ships Norwegian Breakaway and Getaway have a Splash Academy where kids can explore activities like arts and crafts. They have a partnership with Nickelodeon, so kids can meet Spongebob Squarepants and his friends. They have the largest water park at sea and is the only line to have Wii games available onboard. :)

I would recommend rolling your clothes rather than folding them --> this is a win-win situation because it makes them more compact and prevents wrinkles! Another trick that I like to use is stuffing socks or undergarments into rigid vessels such as shoes or mugs.

In terms of what you should be bringing onto the cruise ship, I would call ahead and ask what toiletries are provided. I am not a personal fan of most ships' hair dryers, so it may be worth it to bring your own. If you have a favorite shampoo/conditioner I would bring that as well. I've found that bringing a power strip is useful because there are often very few outlets available in the cabin.

Definitely spread out your clothes within all the luggage in case one suitcase gets delayed or lost.